6-Day Aruba Itinerary: Family Fun, Snorkeling & Adventure in Paradise

Aruba is a Caribbean paradise with turquoise waters, sunny skies, and endless adventures for families. After sharing my Aruba packing list, I wanted to create a detailed itinerary of our 6-day Christmas-week trip. From snorkeling with sea turtles to full-day UTV adventures and relaxing beachfront dinners, here’s exactly what we did and what I’d recommend for your own family getaway.

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Day 1: Arrival in Aruba & Christmas at the Pool Bar

We landed on Christmas Day and headed straight to the car rental desk, only to find there were no cars left, even with a reservation. Aruba worked its magic! Outside, a few guys with car signs offered a week-long rental for $500. Clean, reliable, and ready to go—perfect!

We stayed at Divi Resort with an ocean-view balcony. Dinner at the pool bar was simple - pizza, sodas, and Chill beers - but perfect. Afterwards, we relaxed in the hot tub, soaking in the Caribbean breeze.

Pro Tip: Book early with a reputable service like Discover Cars to avoid last-minute scrambling.

Day 2: Palm Pleasure Morning Snorkel Adventure

Bright and early, we boarded the Palm Pleasure Morning Snorkel Adventure. For $436 for four, we enjoyed a half-day catamaran trip with snorkeling, stunning ocean views, and an open bar.

• Stop 1: Sunken shipwreck far out in the ocean—kids jumped right in, adults took a deep breath first!

• Stop 2: Shallow reef with sea turtles and colorful fish—absolutely breathtaking. Lunch included sandwiches, salads, and drinks.

  
  

Dinner that night was at Kalin’s Mexican Cuisine, north of our hotel. Delicious food and the perfect way to end an active day.

Pro Tips:

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen (affiliate link)

• Pack swim shirts for everyone (affiliate link)

• Bring a waterproof phone case (affiliate link)

• Consider your own snorkel set (affiliate link)

Day 3: Full-Day UTV Northside Adventure

Coffee at the beachfront kicked off the day, followed by a full-day UTV adventure with Rockabeach Tours. The bus ride itself was hilarious—lots of laps around the roundabout with music blasting!

Adventure Highlights:

• Small cliff jumps

• Natural Bridge (collapsed, still impressive)

• Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

• Rock formations beach with stacked stones

• California Lighthouse (our guide took amazing family photos)

• Final beach stop—more small cliff jumps and snorkeling

Hands-down, one of the best excursions in Aruba!

Pro Tips:

✔ Bring a face covering or bandana (like this) for dust; this will save you a little bit of $ on the tour

✔ Pack a small waterproof backpack (this one works perfectly) for essentials

✔ Wear good water shoes (like these)

Day 4: Butterfly Farm, Hooiberg Hike & Dinner at PureOcean

A short walk from our hotel took us to the Butterfly Farm. Tickets: $19 adults, $10 children, free under 4, and they include a return pass for later in your trip. The lush gardens and colorful butterflies make it perfect for photos and learning about nature.

Next, we hiked Hooiberg, Aruba’s highest point. The climb (stairs!) was worth it for panoramic views of the island.

Dinner at PureOcean, right on the beach, was magical—dining with your toes in the sand as the sun set over the water.

Day 5: Baby Beach, Snorkeling & Big Mama Grill

We drove to Baby Beach, a calm, shallow lagoon perfect for snorkeling. It was a bit crowded due to a cruise ship, but we found a cozy spot. The kids loved exploring the reef, and I enjoyed swimming in the shallows, watching colorful fish.

Lunch was at Big Mama Grill, and dinner back north of our hotel at Patrizia’s of Aruba, followed by a stroll to admire Christmas lights—a perfect way to end our final full day.

Day 6: Departure Day

We packed up and spent the morning enjoying a last walk along the beach and a light breakfast at a nearby café. Stopped for some souvenirs, then headed to the airport with hearts full of memories.